The Sunflower Open All Age Championship

The 1996 Sunflower Open All Age Championship
Kimbell Ranch
Yates Center, Kansas
October 21, 1996 to conclusion

The Third Annual Sunflower Open All Age Championship was held over the spacious grounds overseen by the Ed Kimbell family. Due to cattle still being fed and held in some of the north, normal morning courses, all six braces a day were run over the south 14 sections. These courses demand that a dog run a prairie all age race to look good going from one set of objectives to the next. As in the case of the second course it is two miles from the break away draw to the canyon country of the 3rd mile section. Normally, prairie chickens are seen frequently enough to make it worth while for a dog to hunt this gently rolling section.

Judging this year was one of all our favorites in this part of the country, Mike Harris of near St. Joseph Missouri. Mike has campaigned and won championship competitions all over the Midwest. Joining him was Don Loyd of Olathe, Kansas. Don is a shorthair fancier who likes any breed of all age dog. Andy Daugherty told this writer he liked the way they rode every brace and watched every dog. They maintained a comfortable pace throughout the trial, fast enough to see all the action, slow enough the handlers had to show their dogs. They were looking for that "far flung hunting race" that marks the true prairie all age dog.

Thanks go to Chuck Maxson for taking care of the previous victor’s steak dinner and Bill Black for cooking hamburgers with all the fixings. Gordon Shaw, again this year, had the dog wagon on schedule and in the right place except for the morning Dr. Pat McInteer joined him and not only lost the dog wagon but did not even miss it even though he had to open and close two gates and watch the truck go through. Jim Maxwell again opened and closed gates and back marshaled for us. Evert Davis, Jr. marshaled for all except one day when he took time off to go the Mattfield Green and win the all age stake there.

The CHAMPIONSHIP

Monday. Stronghold’s Happy Jack, Cliff Boggs with Fiddler’s Repeat, Gary Pinalto. Cast away at 8:00 going south both dogs went to the first draw east 1/4 mile. Fiddler had a big opening and looked good first 10 minutes. Boggs had an unproductive at 8 in a known covey location in big draw north of lake crossing. Both dogs made the crossing and around the bend where Mrs. Crumrind feeds the deer - always a problem. At 13, up the heavy wooded draw going east, point was called. When we got there Repeat was in front, Fiddler in a backing position. First flushing attempt failed so Boggs took his dog on. Repeat located on about 30 yards down the draw and pointed again. Pinalto flushed one bird going to the dog and fired. Birds began leaving in waves after shot and Repeat couldn’t resist going with the third bunch that left, and was put in harness. Fiddler went over the hill in the same direction as a bid flock of chickens and it took Boggs 10 minutes to gather him up and get back on course. At 55 the dog pointed in creek draw and moved up this was repeated till pick up time.

Brace 2 was abbreviated as Canadian Jock, Andy Daugherty, had knocked his pads at the championship the week before and didn’t want to run. Angel Fist, Gary Pinalto, just didn’t look right to her handler and joined Jock at 10.

Brace 3. Worsham’s Silver Streak, Joe Worsham and Nevada Black Ball, Richie Robertson were turned loose heading two miles straight south through prairie chicken country. This is huge country and the course where last year’s runner-up champion, Murray’s Glide, pointed chickens to win. This year. both dogs filled the pasture, making repeated 1/2 mile swings to the front. After the 2-mile gate the country changes to long, deep canyon draws and both dogs went west while the course went south. At 45 Black Ball had an unproductive where birds were later flushed. Worsham’s dog was erratic in his huge casts. Both dogs had big, big finishes. Silver Streak had birds 3/4 mile to the front, but was found too long after time.

Brace 4 had Lehar’s Main Tech, Andy Daugherty with Miss Whippoorwill, Gary Pinalto. Dogs were turned loose from big mott in south pasture after coffee break. The course follows a big draw two miles west through birdy country. Both went past the twin motts and the lake on big swings. When we turned north into a bitter wind spitting rain, Miss Whippoorwill hooked 1/2 mile west down a big draw and was waited for as Gary had to ride hard to break her off. Both dogs ran huge races going back toward camp but went birdless.

At lunch time the tally was four coveys of quail and 8 flocks of prairie chicken. Lunch was fix your own from a big variety at the secretary’s trailer and enjoyed by all. Every one donned rain gear at lunch as the weather was turning bad.

Brace 5 saw Winner Bear Creek Bess, Andy Daugherty with Prairie Dancer, Gary Pinalto. Since this is a working cattle ranch and intermittent summer rains had left such good pastures, there were still cattle over the north ranch pastures and the decision was make to run the total trial over the 14 sections of ground south. Both dogs were turned loose facing east toward the first draw and quickly made the 1/4 mile. Point was immediately called for Prairie Dancer and Pinalto quickly put up a single from under the oaks here the dog was facing, 1/2 step and turn to mark the flight as the birds flushed beyond the trees. Taken on Dancer quickly gained the front and was pointed out on a huge cast to the front. Both dogs were swinging on all age prairie casts through the big bowls of the second pasture. This is a 1 1/2 x 2 mile pasture and both dogs filled the horizon. As we turned north down the creek draw into the 3rd pasture Dancer was on point and Bess came off the hill to point 30 yards north, up the creek. Daugherty quickly flushed and fired, and Gary Pinalto, after a cursory flush, took the other birds and took the dogs on. These birds do run that much! Both dogs were eating up the course and were taken a mile extra west to the fence line and turned south where Bess had her second find. Judge advising her style was better on her second find as the birds were accurately located or had not run off. Both picked up, everyone knowing they had to beat these two.

Brace 6 saw Idaho Sunrise Magic, Richie Robertson with The Judicator, Gary Pinalto. These two went south in the east 2 mile pasture and filled the bill with big races. Chicken were seen in the air but no dog work. At the 2 mile gate both dogs were out of pocket and the gallery waited to gather them up. Gary got The Judicator back and took him to the east draw and south. Halfway down the draw Richie returned with Magic and took her on west and over the big hill to the draw where she pointed. It took a long relocation to put birds in the air. This was where Black Ball had his unproductive. Very elusive birds. The Judicator ran a nice race but went birdless. By this time the weather was getting nasty.

Brace 7 saw Prairie Reb, Don Beauchamp’s dog run by Lou Gleaber with Big Delivery, David Grubb. Neither dog really got untracked in the nasty, cold, driving north rain. Both were picked up at 40 and the gallery of 18 riders hurried to camp, wet and cold.

Normally, we would have cooked hamburgers on Monday night and Bill Black had the propane cookers going, but everyone just used them to warm up and we went to town 20 miles distant to a DRY, WARM MOTEL.

Tuesday morning’s running was canceled as we drove to camp to do chores in a cold, wet snow storm. No running at all Tuesday with a cold, wet, wind driven blizzard with wind-chill of 12 degrees.

Wednesday dawned clear and cool but doable compared to Tuesday’s blizzard. At 8:05 we released Elhew Aligned Duke with Richie Robertson and Borrowed Money, Gary Pinalto. Across the pond dam both dogs were hitting a lick. Money had an unproductive at 10 where scout said birds had lifted before we got to him. Duke has a pretty way of moving but came up empty at 55.

Brace 9 saw Meachach, Richie Robertson with Texas Maverick, Gary Pinalto, going east and south through the big chicken pastures. Both dogs crossed regularly at far distances. Maverick was lost past the 2 mile gate at 40 only to be found after time right on course below pond dam down long draw eyeball to eyeball with a large bobcat! Robertson had an unproductive at 55. Big races to no avail.

Brace 10 was Lehar’s Perfect Tech, Andy Daugherty with Miller’s Silver Ending, David Grubbs. Both dogs rewarded a gallery of 18 brave souls with early big swings down the sides of southwest canyon. Past the gate crossing Bo was huge going to the far front down the creek bottom. Silver Ending was bending the front edges going to the right places. The first 30 minutes were very rapid in pace as both dogs knew where the front door was. Bo went northwest up the big draw to the Crumrind grounds and hooked the north woods line on a 3/4 mile cast. Daugherty just sitting back letting him rock and roll. At 40 point was called for Silver Ending through the north fence into the Crumrind woods. No birds - dog moving when we got there. Scout said they flew wild at the call of point. Tech was lost at 45. Silver Ending pointed again after time but judges had seen the dog as time was called.

We ran a fourth brace before lunch and put down Red Willow, Richie Robertson with Texas Applejack, Gary Pinalto. Both dogs went straight east to the far draw in the puppy pastures. Applejack was last seen going south down the mile fence line. Red Willow made the turn east and then went far northeast and had to be ridden for. At 45 pointed below pond and had a lengthy relocation but no birds. Picked up, we rode in for lunch.

After lunch Brace 12 turned Southwin Mike, Richie Robertson with Rock Acre Radar, Gary Pinalto. Mike was up at 15. Radar, a good looking young dog, looked good going across the country. At 25 we had a good find at the east end of the big, wooded draw. Turned loose he went a mile to the east and turned wrong and was ridden for. It turned into a horse race and confusion. Pinalto later returned with both Radar and Applejack in tow. A sad ending to a beautiful start, but this young dog has a bright future.

Brace 13 saw Fossil Angie, Jerry Lewis with White Limozeen, Evert Davis. Both were up early. Sam, with Davis, had blown his pads and couldn’t get it going.

Social Call, Gary Pinalto and Tekoa Mountain Skyline, Richie Robertson were called for and turned loose south. Social Call was lost early. Skyline was aptly named as she was always on the skyline. Big race, no birds.

Steaks were cooking when we got back to camp, compliments of Barshoe Quickly, last year’s winner. Ribeyes, baked beans, potato salad, green salad, white beans and ham, hot bread, and wet bar. Quite a party. Thanks Chuck Maxson for putting it all together!

Thursday dawned clear and cool, beautiful weather to ride over the spacious, rolling hills of Southeastern Kansas prairie. At 8:08 Richie Robertson turned loose Idaho Power with Sequoyah Padre, Gary Pinalto. Two differently gaited dogs; one floated over the country; one powered his way across lots of real estate. Padre broke right while Power went left a long ways and came down the birdy draw. Both looked good down the 2 mile east west draw and up the big bowl draw. Down the mile long north south draw Power went its length and pointed. A known covey haunt, but they were not at home this morning. Meanwhile Padre went west over the hill and was returned in harness at 50. Power went to all the right places with a huge, huge race while Padre powered his way through 50 minutes of championship race.

Brace 16 was a "sit tall in the saddle, a touch of spurs, and which one is that on the far hill." Gary Pinalto had Revelation ready, willing, and able while Andy Daugherty is on a roll with Barshoe Quickly. They both ran 60 minutes of big, big, showy races, hunting down the length of big mile long draws to cross the hills to the next draw to repeat the process, but no birds today.

Brace 17 took us to lunch with Pacesetter’s Lodestone, Richie Robertson with Clear Cut, Gary Pinalto. Both dogs filled the country with the edge going to Clear Cut as he knocked the eye out of the front door all the way around.

Brace 18 saw the lone Red Setter, Cheney, Glen Sicotti with Desert Rambler, Richie Robertson. Both dogs looked good going east and south to the first gate. Desert Rambler pointed into the draw and a prolonged relocation took place. When no birds were produced Richie picked up. Cheney went on but at short range with not much fire.

Brace 19 was Calypso Glitz, John George with Murray’s Glide, Richie Robertson. Two nice setters. Glide was lost at 30 and Glitz went on alone. She looked good going down the draws. Big enough to be called all age but not huge, but going to all the right places with a high flag and pleasing gait.

Brace 20 was Nemaha Patch, Dr. Pat McInteer with Country, Gary Pinalto. This course has 20 minutes of just plain, bald prairie to cross and cross it they did. Country had the early edge but Patch soon got in on the foot race. Through the big canyon draw going a mile south, Patch had an unproductive and Country had to be ridden for. At 55 chickens were in the air with Patch standing to be shot over. Country going birdless.

Brace 21 had See Johnny Run, Jerry Lewis with Boot Hill Fiddler, Gary Pinalto. Loosed at 4:31, everyone was looking for birds. Fiddler is a pleasing dog to look at running, but he needed birds this day. Johnny was big, not huge, but big enough in range. At 45 point was called in the Crumrind pasture and a long ride was made to the gate and back to where the dog was pointing. Woods to his back, facing the prairie. After a confab with scout, handler got off his horse and flushed several birds leaving from in front of the dog. Wind and location, along with bird numbers, made you wonder about this one. Johnny finished his hour out front and the judges later told this scribe they were carrying him among their top dogs.

Brace 22 had Nevada Ice, Richie Robertson with Rock Creek Cuz, Gary Pinalto. Cuz was very amorous and after checking Ice, the judges moved him down with the bye dog and Ice went on alone. Lost at 15, the brace was shortly over.

Brace 23 was Tioga, Richie Robertson with Barshoe Boogaloosa, Runner-Up, Andy Daugherty. Because of the abbreviated previous braces these two were turned loose 1/2 mile south of normal course routing. They literally flew across these prairies. Tioga had an unproductive at 14 with a prolonged relocation, Judge advising that it just got worse and worse. Meanwhile, Boogaloosa went north to the end of the long creek draw and pointed. A half mile ride to get there and the birds had run off. The wind had really picked up and no one gave the dog much chance on the relocation but the work was crisp and swift and a big covey went airborne. Both dogs hit big, big licks across the 2 miles of rolling prairie going to the south canyon country. Through the gate, point was called for Tioga 3/8 mile to the east. Nice bird location, but lacking style hurt his chances for a placement. Both dogs finished the hour out front on big casts.

Newsmaker, Gary Pinalto and Hick’s Rising Sun, Richie Robertson were loosed at 10:45 heading back to camp. Both ran big tug and haul races but went birdless.

Brace 25 saw Barshoe Hard Twist, Lee West crossing swords with Stratocaster, Gary Pinalto. Both dogs broke east going the mile to the first draw in quick fashion. It’s nice to see a dog like Jack look this good and be so old. He’s run many an all age race. At the end of the 3/4 mile long draw both dogs were involved with a covey of birds and made them fly. Then both took to playing with the singles and the brace was over.

The last brace of the 51 dog entry Championship saw Barshoe Esquire, Lee West with Rock Creek Cuz, Gary Pinalto, moved down from his brace with Nevada Ice. Neither dog really got it going or challenged the leaders so the Championship ended in the middle of 14 sections of some of God’s prettiest handiwork, northwest 20 miles of Yates Center, Kansas.

The DERBY

The Derby drew 31 entries and saw some good, some bad, some pretty, some ugly. Several deserve notice for their prairie all age races that showed that the game will still be played next year!

In order of running.

Quick Kash with Don Kimble was dog enough for the Prairies.

The Far Side, Gary Pinalto, was shown on early mile cast and then got behind.

Iron Mountain, C. W. Moore, was braced with the winner and was shown on three casts that consumed 30 minutes and about 6 square miles.

Liberty Snow, Jerry Lewis, was big enough, and pointed at 25, found by this writer looking for Iron Mountain, who was found another 3/4 mile to the front.

Black Rain, Gary Pinalto, had probably the best overall 30 minutes but needed bird work for the number one spot.

Country Girl, with Larry "Fuzzy" Smith, ran a pretty 30 minutes with several good casts.

SnapJax’s Golden Boy, with Mike Harris, ran plenty good enough to have been in consideration for a placement.

Bootlegger’s Boy, L. Smith, ran off, almost, to be finished, but way too erratic to be placed.